October has always been my favorite month of the year. Nature's spectacular show each autumn is a huge reason. But there's other factors too. I just love all the things associated with fall- football, warm sweaters, crisp air, campfires, the birthdays of two of my most favorite people in the world, and of course, Halloween. So here's some of those highlights depicted in pictures:
Oh how I love these four people. I cherish every time we all pile on the couch together knowing we won't all fit on it forever. Nor will the children willingly choose to hang out with us forever. But for now, it's pure bliss.
Mark and I went to a wedding this month for a son of Mark's colleague. We clean up pretty well, don't you think?
Speaking of cleaning up well, check out Morgan on school picture day.
Taylor sneaking away for some alone time in her closet.
Morgan making the most out of her precious time with mommy's phone.
I watched my nieces and nephew on a night when Taylor had volleyball and Mark was out of town. Yes, I am very brave.
After the game, we went to LaRosas to pick up a pizza.
How precious are these two?!
After soccer practice this fall I let Charlie play on the playground. Just as we were about to leave, Charlie fell from the monkey bars and broke his arm. I will spare my readers the gruesome details, but let's just say, it was immediately obvious that he had broken his arm.
The poor little guy had to wait an excruciatingly long time for some pain medication, but he AMAZED me with his ability to stay calm. I played music for him while he 'blew out the pain'. This little guy is incredible.
He was transferred to another hospital once it was confirmed that he would need surgery. He was given morphine every two hours through the night while awaiting the procedure.
Luckily, it was not an invasive procedure (no incision). But he did get three pins in his arm and a pretty cool cast. Oh, and this popsicle that made him very, very happy. Or was that just the drugs talking?
Three hours after Charlie's surgery, I headed out for my annual photography conference. The decision to go was an excruciating one, but it turned out to be the right one. I never could have done it if it weren't for the knowledge that he was in very adept hands. (Thanks, Mark!)
Had it just been a regular photography conference, I would have skipped it in a heartbeat. But this one was also the chance to see my dear friend, Julie, whom I roomed with last year.
I also have a group of photographer friends that I met during a workshop last February with whom I interact daily. Many of us were able to finally meet in person.
The conference was in San Antonio, Texas so of course I had to try out some true texan cuisine.
MMMMM..... brisket.....
It's hard to convey what being on my own for four days surrounded by other women who share my passion for photography does for me. Let's just say it's good for my soul.
And networking with the CEO of Clickin' Moms never hurt anyone either.
And after being away, it felt so good to come home to these four faces.
Right away, it was time to start celebrating birthdays.
Charlie took advantage of the opportunity to get some more cast signings.
We opted to forego our usual big family/friends party and just had a birthday dinner.
Have I mentioned how much I love these four people?
On Charlie's actual birthday, he was treated to a breakfast of his choice.
The whole school sang to him at morning assembly.
His sister bought him some pokeman cards (with her own money).
We finished off the day with a trip to Chuck E Cheese's. Just Charlie and Mom.
I don't know if it was his broken arm or some birthday luck, but the girls behind the counter showered him with extra prizes. He scored BIG!
I just had to snap this picture while waiting for the doctor at their annual checkup. I am so grateful for the way these two get along the majority of the time.
On Taylor's birthday, I took her to the Mat Potter to paint her own pottery.
The following weekend it was time for our annual camping trip with Grandma and Grandpa from KY. We had such a nice time together. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves:
On the last day of our camping weekend, we searched for some geocaches in the nearby woods.
We had much success!
Check out Taylor's monster volleyball serve. She may be little, but check out those muscles. The other team doesn't have a chance!
A random lunch with Aunt Julie. Complete with random hats.
Okay, remember this banner that Morgan made last month? She had found the idea in a magazine and the two of use made one.
This led to Morgan's idea to have a Halloween party. I had so much on my plate this month (in addition to all these family activities, I had the busiest month since I started my photography business). However, I really loved the idea of letting Morgan see one of her ideas come to fruition. So I nurtured this idea and we worked on details of the party for weeks and weeks. Finally, we invited her cousins to come for a Halloween celebration.
Here's the goody bags we made for the occasion.
And some snacks.
Of course, we needed a Halloween cake.
At the last minute, Morgan decided it should be a costume party as well.
Morgan had given Taylor a face painting set for her birthday, and Taylor put it to good use at the party.
My favorite moment was when Morgan taught us all her original Halloween song to sing before eating the cake.
I chaperoned Charlie's field trip to a local farm this month, too.
It was a very hands-on field trip.
I also helped plan and attended the Halloween party at school.
Grandpa thought it was time the children see the Wizard of Oz so we ordered it and watched it together. I think the kids liked it. It was hard to tell since they talked throughout the whole, dang movie! At least they were talking about the movie :)
Taylor's face painting skills made another appearance for Halloween night.
Trick or treating with the kids is another time that I know is fleeting. I truly enjoy every year that they are willing to be seen with their mama on Halloween night. We hit many, many houses this year. I thought back to years when I would tote them around in a wagon. They certainly are growing up.
I just love the after halloween assessment of their loot. They love trading candy with each other- an activity I remember doing as a kid too!
This photo was technically taken in November (the day after Halloween), but it shows another way they play with their Halloween candy. They like blindfolding each other and trying to guess which type of candy is placed in their hands. I did not do this as a kid, but I would have if I had thought of it!
So there you have it- our wonderful, busy, blessed and exciting October. And it was really just the beginning of our holiday season. More to come (soon, I promise!).
